Caldwell Admits "Level Of Concern" About Tamme's Back Injury

by Collin McCollough on Nov 11, 2010 2:12 PM EST in 2010 Colts News

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Jacob Tamme #84 of Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1 2010 in Indianapolis Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

From the "really bad news department" comes this tweet from Phil B:

#Colts coach Jim Caldwell concedes a "level of concern" about TE Jacob Tamme's back injury. Who plays TE if he's out? Good question.

And this follow-up:

#Colts rookie OG Jacques McClendon is still considered a TE this week. If Tamme can't go, it would be him and Gijon Robinson.

[Editor's Note: Both Tamme and Eldridge practiced today, so both might indeed play Sunday. Still, I would have to think, like most of the roster, both guys are playing hurt and out of necessity. Sounds like, despite early indications, both might be available vs the Bengals, however.]

I guess we're assuming that Brody Eldridge is still sidelined with a rib injury, but if that holds true, the Colts' TE situation is about as dire as it gets. Consequentially, the Colts' lack of offensive firepower is becoming a huge concern. Last week, the Eagles conceded Jacob Tamme and locked down everyone else (i.e. Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon.) With a running game reduced to one "healthy" RB who knew the playbook between the 20s, Peyton Manning was forced to go to the air often and really only seemed to have Tamme open consistently. Garcon turned in a drop-heavy, lackluster performance and Wayne was largely limited to quick screens and slants.

Without Tamme, the Colts have no real receiving threat at TE. Jacques McClendon is an offensive line convert playing out of necessity only and throwing to Gijon Robinson is akin to throwing to a stop sign. Clang.

If we don't see the Colts bring in any tight ends this week, I think we can assume Tamme will be playing (and probably playing through injury), as surely the Colts wouldn't really go into their next contest with McClendon and Robinson the only TEs...one of those two, of course, not even being a real TE. Still, it's a reminder of just how bad the injury situation is in Indianapolis. And further proof that, if the Colts earn a postseason berth, the MVP award should be named after Peyton Manning.

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"locked down Reggie Wayne" ???? The dude had 11 catches for over 80 yards !!!!

I hope the Bengals “lock him down” too. I thought 80-90 percent of those screens early in the game were quite effective, too, and that’s a higher percent that a typical play.
I also disagree with how you say that the Eagles just conceded passes to Tamme, as though he weren’t perfectly capable.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Nov 11, 2010 2:24 PM EST reply actions

He got 0 separation on deep or medium routes

by Ty46 on Nov 11, 2010 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

He was a bit scared too...

…on one of those long completions where he half-heartedly swatted his hands at it. Being close friends with Collie probably reminded him of what happened to Collie on the field everytime he went over the middle, I guess!!!

by chad72 on Nov 11, 2010 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

well, his specialties are shallow slant slant, china, the square out, and the comeback hook,

not exactly known as a deep threat or burner. so no separation is not much surprise.
I just think fans must be spoiled silly to criticize Wayne, and elsewhere Hayden. Very unrealistic expectations.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Nov 11, 2010 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

Wayne is fine

Wayne is fine, he is a true professional. He will never complain about balls not thrown to him and will take WRs under his wing and teach them the nuances of the position etc. Wayne just picks and chooses his spots and manages his production and health well, IMO.

Hayden, on the other hand, was hurting the team briefly. It was not just perception, it was what was happening on the field. Not making INTs when he could, making bone headed penalties etc., it almost felt like he had to hit a bit of rock bottom before he sprung back the last 2 games, IMO.

Ultimately, it is our O-line on offense and D-line on defense. Everything starts there. If we can get those to play to their best all the time, we will have better results.

by chad72 on Nov 11, 2010 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

Wayne was locked down.

11 catches for 80 yards = <8 yards per reception. That’s locked down for a premier WR. It’s not a slight on Reggie, it’s just life in the NFL. Elite WRs get coverage rolled toward them and can’t get open for anything more than extended handoffs.

You’re taking it all way too personally for some odd reason. By saying the Eagles “conceded” Tamme, I just meant that they chose to focus on taking away the wideouts and giving the Colts whatever they could manage down the seam, matching Tamme up with a LB or S. It’s not a knock on Tamme. It’s just how the Eagles played the Colts.

Writer for Stampede Blue.

by Collin McCollough on Nov 11, 2010 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

How did i take things "way too personally?" Are you projecting your own chagrin onto me?

My name’s not Wayne or Tamme! Looking back, i think my language was pretty neutral, although, yeah, my punctuation was excessive!
And I still disagree. 11 for 80 is not locked down, I don’t care how “premiere” the WR is. How many receivers have had 11-catch games this year? I’m guessing no more than 20 (out of approximately 128 games so far this year). Eight yards per catch is modest, but not pathetic for a possession receiver like reggie (see note above about routes).
I’m just weary of the hyperbole that gets blithely tossed around (not only you, Collin, my man). “Hayden sucks,” “Diem’s a turnstile,” “Francisco is garbage,” “Brown is a bust,” etc etc.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Nov 11, 2010 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

We agree to disagree.

And I promise not to use hyperbole if you promise not to use drugs. For the kids, man. For the kids.

Writer for Stampede Blue.

by Collin McCollough on Nov 11, 2010 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

um, that's a deal breaker. Go ahead and fire off some half-baked opinions. ;-)

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Nov 11, 2010 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

I never heard of this Patterson before, and he had maybe the best game of his life. The same with KC’s Carr earlier this year… Champ is great, but still was like Wayne’s real shadow.

Reggie also has his career worst yards/catch avg.

by Ty46 on Nov 11, 2010 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

"Garcon turned in a drop-heavy, lackluster performance"

0-1 drop is drop-heavy?

McClendon got 5 snaps at TE against the Eagles. Just put him in, and pound the ball. Or go to a 2RB set. The Bengals would defend this with 3 LBs, then one RB goes on a route and there is a favorable matchup.

Also, Caldwell shouldn’t be that protective. Tamme is fine. I bet half the injured guys could play, and play well, just Caldwell is keeping them out.

by Ty46 on Nov 11, 2010 2:38 PM EST reply actions

Blair White

Blair White is going to go bonkers in this game

by chad72 on Nov 11, 2010 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

Eh, maybe drop-heavy was harsh.

But it was still unimpressive. He was singled up quite a few times and not much doing on his end. With Garcon, and maybe I’ll write about this if it continues, it just seems that he’s always on Page A and Manning is on Page Z. There really seems to be no chemistry between those two a la Manning-to-Wayne or Manning-to-Harrison or even Manning-to-Collie/Stokley/Clark, etc.

Writer for Stampede Blue.

by Collin McCollough on Nov 11, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

I think Samuel had a lot to do with that.

Manning doesn’t like throwing his way at all (a reasonable fear in my opinion). Even the greatest can have players that still “get them.” Peyton’s are Ty Law, Asante Samuel, and Ed Reed. I expect at least one pick every time they play. That’s just the way it is. The greatest only have a few that get them while the good get “got” more often.

Bleedin' Blue for as long as I can remember. Can you believe we get to be fans while our team has the greatest QB of all time?!?!?!

by emiller17 on Nov 11, 2010 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Until our quickest WR can catch, we will be playing west coast offense

Until our quickest WR on the outside can catch reliably, teams will play us underneath more. For the Colts sake and Garcon’s sake, he needs to catch, period.

Our running in the Redskins game as it went on was set up a lot because of Garcon’s catches, IMO.

by chad72 on Nov 11, 2010 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

Truth.

I just felt like Manning was missing Garcon more than Pierre was dropping the ball this week. Not that it is always the case, it just looked like Manning was trying to steer the ball away from Samuel and missed Garcon in the process.

Bleedin' Blue for as long as I can remember. Can you believe we get to be fans while our team has the greatest QB of all time?!?!?!

by emiller17 on Nov 11, 2010 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

I felt like that too

At the end of the first half, ha just threw it to Reggie, hoping, he would make a catch, didn’t even bother to look right.

by Ty46 on Nov 11, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

Garcon

Not only does he need to catch the ball, Garcon needs to get open in the first place, something he’s not doing consistently. He is not getting separation, and this offense simply doesn’t work with his current level of play.

by Cole Farrington on Nov 11, 2010 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

Caldwell coach speak

Why would Caldwell let the Bengals know ahead of time if they have to game plan for Tamme or Blair White or both? Typical coach speak to me.

by chad72 on Nov 11, 2010 2:43 PM EST reply actions

He is not that smart

by Ty46 on Nov 11, 2010 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Even a blind squirrel...

…can find a nut sometime :-).

by chad72 on Nov 11, 2010 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

Tamme is practicing today.

Thankfully – P. Wilson tweet.

by Cole Farrington on Nov 11, 2010 2:48 PM EST reply actions

Eldridge, too

Good.

by Cole Farrington on Nov 11, 2010 2:50 PM EST reply actions

Powers has a bounce in his step as well

Jerraud Powers had a bounce in his step as well, according to those tweets, I like it. Antonio Johnson participated in limited fashion too.

I would love to have AJ for the Patriots game and moving forward.

by chad72 on Nov 11, 2010 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

A healthy AJ - Moala starting duo is the way to go

by Ty46 on Nov 11, 2010 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

Who would have thought that last year?

But I agree now. Muir has alternated between average and bad this year. At least AJ and Moala have had their moments.

Writer for Stampede Blue.

by Collin McCollough on Nov 11, 2010 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

Collie and the RBs

Now, they just need Collie and their RBs to be respectable. Throw in Session and Bob at some point, and you never know.

by Cole Farrington on Nov 11, 2010 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

if we need a tight end . . .

. . .Dan Coats just got cut by Denver when they promoted Lance Ball. maybe this 180 lb midget running back we just signed could hit the road and PRESTO ! At least Coats is experienced. Didn’t he play for the Pay-tree-ots at one point? just sayin’ :-)

by oldecoltsfan on Nov 11, 2010 2:50 PM EST reply actions

Ben Coates

That was Ben Coates. Dan Coats couldn’t make it with the Bengals – he dropped everything he saw.

by Cole Farrington on Nov 11, 2010 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

I think im going to be sick

if Gijon and McClendon are our starting TE’s on sunday

by metal_militia on Nov 11, 2010 3:53 PM EST reply actions

me too

they couldn’t find anyone besides gijon cmon

by drake89 on Nov 11, 2010 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed.

Nothing good happens when Gijon is involved.

by Lell87 on Nov 11, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

That's from the 'Really Bad News Department'?

Please. That’s Caldwell Speak for ’it’s Thursday and I had toast for breakfast’. Means nothing, especially since he practiced.

When he starts saying something unambiguous, then we should get worried. Sometimes I think he makes those statements, then goes into his office, shuts the door and laughs his ass off at the sound of all those scribbling pens and texting thumbs he hears. Good for you, Jim. Loose lips sink ships.

"Keep your government hands off my Medicare!!!" ~ 2009 quote of the year, Yale Book of Quotations
"Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard."

by Via_Chicago on Nov 11, 2010 4:08 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

In the meantime, Andre Smith of the Bengals broke his foot in practice.

He cracked the starting lineup and was starting to play well

by Ty46 on Nov 11, 2010 4:13 PM EST reply actions

We want Andre Smith to play

he is their weakest link in pass protection. He makes several mental mistakes and blows assignments. Smith was benched in the middle of the game against the Steelers for playing so horribly.

by nickfromnaptown on Nov 12, 2010 3:14 AM EST up reply actions

Palmer hurt throwing shoulder

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2010/11/11/1808440/missing-back-to-back-practices-carson-palmer-injured-throwing

by chad72 on Nov 11, 2010 4:22 PM EST reply actions

Hey, what ever happened to Tom Santi?

Did he get picked up, or is he on the street?

by tim55 on Nov 11, 2010 5:31 PM EST reply actions

Hurt, I believe.

Too bad, he had some good moments last year.

by ActionOxford on Nov 11, 2010 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Tom Santi is one of our league leading 12 players on IR.

by leah_bh on Nov 11, 2010 6:04 PM EST reply actions

not a category we want to be leading the league in. :(

by leah_bh on Nov 11, 2010 6:05 PM EST up reply actions

Only 11 now, that Humber got taken off.

by Ty46 on Nov 12, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

Tamme,, Eldridge will be ready

Tamme better be gettin g constant message and PT on that back and put some hyaluronic acid injections in that back- works great,, Cincy pass defense stinks Colts will tear it up White will be big and maybe B James gets to return the kickoffs and we can start for the 30-40 everytime and Freeney and Mathis are much faster in the Luke 40 and they better be smart with Freeney and Mathis , we need both to be playing – playoff time

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Nov 11, 2010 6:45 PM EST reply actions

12 players on IR???

fuck! Guys, we can still make the playoffs right? I mean we are ok right? I love the Colts, and I will be the first to admit I am more knowledgeable about basketball. I look to you guys, and ladies to help me out. Your discussion about routes, and slants and so on is very important. I want to thank all of you COLT fans for helping me out.

by chihoosierguy on Nov 12, 2010 7:36 AM EST reply actions

BUT...and it's a BIG but as well

If we can kick this injury bug and make it through the San Diego game without a loss, we should start getting some of these guys back. The amazing part about all of this is that if we can actually end up winning the AFC South and get a healthy Collie, Addai, Hart, Brackett, Tryon, Powers, Lacey, Johnson, and BOBZILLA all back for a run in the playoffs….I still like our chances against anyone in the AFC.
NOW THAT SPEAKS BOUNDS ABOUT OUR TEAM!